St Ishmaels 1 Saundersfoot Sports 6

Turning into St Ishmaels sports ground on Saturday, players and spectators would have been struck by a silver veneer that covered the pitch. Bizarrely, what looked like dew turned out to be a field full of cobwebs although fortunately for the arachnophobes no spiders were in sight.

Unfortunately for the home side however, they also had to deal with a human web in the shape of visiting keeper Craig Reardon. The towering youngster, who has made a few appearances in the Welsh League for Milford United, was in such inspired form between the sticks that it was as if he had already made the goal area his home and any predators were to be stopped dead in their tracks.

As melodramatic as that may sound, for three quarters of this absorbing clash between Division Two high flyers Saundersfoot and Division One strugglers St Ishmaels, he was the difference.

The game was played at a high speed with both teams looking to attack from the start. It was hard, it was physical but it was fair and both teams deserve credit for the way that they approached the game in near perfect conditions.

In the very first minutes there was goalmouth action as visiting striker Robbie Beynon missed a perfect opportunity to score but he saw his header, in front of an open goal, fly harmlessly over the bar.

Relieved at this let off Tish took the ball up field and almost scored but Glyn Griffiths hit the side netting.

Inspired by almost taking the lead the home side had the confidence to attack and were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Quality midfielder Dai Proctor took it, but Reardon brilliantly saved his powerful shot low down. From his kick-off, the ball was taken on by Beynon who produced a well-flighted ball over the defence into the path of Paul Evans who powerfully volleyed home.

Further chances fell to Evans again who had a one on one with Andrew Pawlett, which the home keeper won and Steven Davies who powerfully volleyed over the bar. It was thrilling stuff.

Not to be outdone Reardon was pressed into action again when Neil Holmes went close and from the resulting corner he had to be on guard as Proctor headed over the bar.

Tish were coming back into it more and Proctor and Nicky Howlin combined to produce a great opportunity but Reardon was up to the task. Just before half time however, Saundersfoot increased their lead when Paul Evans produced some magic down the left, delivered a cross and Darren Umanee was on hand to score.

The second half started at an equally thrilling pace. Tish were well on top in the opening stages and they produce innumerable chances some of which were saved and others which went just wide.

They looked to be coming back into the game but then a breakaway by the visitors resulted in a goal by Steven Davies, although Tish responded straight after with a goal by Glyn Griffiths. Not to be outdone by this quick response, Saundersfoot quickly got three goals to the good when Davies scored again.

Saundersfoots fifth was a penalty by Paul Evans after Beynon was brought down by Robbie Thomas and their sixth came just at the end when more skill down the left by the sublime Evans allowed Russell Evans in for a score.

Despite being on the wrong end of this cup result, Tishs spirit was typified by Mark Devonald at the end, who with the last kick of the match produced a thunderous effort but Reardon once again got in the way, which pretty much summed up the game for the home side.